Housing advocate Max Dubler recently highlighted the critical need for increased housing supply, asserting that developers should be empowered to build more homes in desirable locations. Dubler, a prominent figure in the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) movement, stated in a social media post, > "We need more homes. Developers want to make money building the homes we need in the places people want to live. We should let them do so."
This call to action comes amid a significant housing deficit across the United States, estimated to be between 1.5 million and 5.5 million units. This shortfall has contributed to escalating housing prices and a severe affordability crisis, impacting economic output and workforce mobility nationwide. Experts point to decades of underbuilding, particularly after the Great Recession, and surging demand from millennials as key drivers of the current situation.
A primary impediment to new construction is the complex web of land use regulations and zoning laws, which have become increasingly stringent over time. These rules, often set at the local level, include height restrictions, minimum lot sizes, and parking requirements, limiting the density and type of housing that can be built. Goldman Sachs economists suggest that reducing regulations to match less stringent cities could add 2.5 million housing units within a decade.
Dubler's advocacy aligns with the YIMBY philosophy, which champions policies that promote dense, infill development and streamline permitting processes. His work with California YIMBY has focused on state-level legislative reforms, such as those related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which have significantly boosted housing production in California. For instance, statewide ADU approvals surged from approximately 800 in 2016 to over 30,000 in 2024.
Beyond regulatory hurdles, increased construction costs and a shortage of skilled labor also hinder housing development. Supply chain disruptions continue to elevate material prices, making it challenging for builders to deliver affordable projects. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that the housing deficit has resulted in billions of dollars in lost economic output and hundreds of thousands of ungenerated jobs across various states.
